Mine car



E. RAMSAY Sept. 9 1924.

MINE CAR 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 21. 1921 INVENTOR Erskine RomeoATTORN EY Sept. 9, 1924. 1,508,123

' E. RAMSAY MINE CAR Filed Oct. 21. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORErskine Roma-3on1.

ATTORN EY Sept. 9 1924. 1,508,123

E. RAMSAY MINE CA R Filed Oct. 21 1921 cs-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ErskineRqmsqm.

ATTORN EY Patented Sept. 9, i924.

STATEfi MINE CAR.

Application filed October 21, 1921. Serial No. 509,436.

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERSKINE RAMSAY, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Birmingham, in the county of Jefferson and State ofAlabama,-have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mine Cars,of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to an im provement in the design andconstruction of cars and particularly of mine cars wherein it is ofimportance toobtain the maximum capacity for a permissible height of thecar with a minimum head room requirement for the operation of the car.

With these objects in view I have conceived that the most desirable carwill be obtained if its center of gravity can be brought as low aspossible and to do this I provide novel means for mounting the runninggear so that it is possible for the bottom of the car to b dropped asfar as permissible by track conditions below the level of the axles. Mypreferred arrangement for accomplishing this purpose is the provision ofwheel openings in the car bottom which are closed preferably by wheelhousings disposed transversely of the bottom of the car and functioningas pedestals for the guiding of the axle journals and as housings forthe springs (when springs are used) which support the car on the axle.

A further distinctive featureof my invention is the formation of the carin a simple and inexpensive manner from rolled plates which are punchedprior to assembly to receive the axle and wheel housings, thuspermitting the car to be shipped collapsed and the plates bolted up,after which the housings can be set in and bolted to the body and therunning gear set in the hous- 111 s. t. further object of my inventionis to provide the car with transverse braces formed both by the housingsand by plates which are preferably bolted both to the axle housings andto the car body so as to form a most rigid structure.

A further feature of my invention relates to the design of a one pieceaxle housing which projects into the car body and at its ends isenlarged to receive the Wheels so that this housing forms both atransverse brace member and a cover for the openings required for thewheels and for portions of the axle when the car body is underhung belowthe axle.

My invention further comprises the novel details of construction andarrangements of -parts, which in their referred embodiment only areillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is an end elevation of my improved type of car partly broken awayto show one end of the housing in section and one wheel and part of theaxle in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the car with one end broken away invertical central transverse cross section.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of one end of the car; and

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the other end of the car.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view; and

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the wheel housing with the running gear inposition therein.

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the housing with one-half thereof brokenaway in horizontal cross section.

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of Fig. 6.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout thedrawings.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated I have selected a car bodyhaving preferably a curved cross section with its bottom under maximumload conditions designed to approach closely the top level of thetrackrails. It is to be understood however that this particular design isillustrative merely and may be widely varied to suit difi'erent ocrating conditions but without however eparting from the spirit of myinvention.

As shown, the body of the car is made of a single metal sheet 1. adaptedto be bent or rolled to form a concavoconvex (or rectangular) body andhaving opposite the points for the reception of the wheels and axles,slots punched in the plate of the character more clearly illustrated inFig. 4;, each slot having a narrow extension 2 opening into an enlargedopening 3 which-is intended for the reception of a car wheel a. The slotextensions 2 are in transverse alignment and overlie the ends of theaxles 5, being of such 'length as to permit the requisite vertical playfor the axles, as is more clearly indicated in the cross sectionalportion of Fig. 1. Preferably, at the same time that the openings 2 and3 are punched in the sheet, the bolt holes 6 are also punched extendingfrom side to side of the car and about the openings 3, and it is bybolts or rivets inserted through these openings that l. attach thehousing 7 for each axle audits respective wheels. Each housing comprisesa narrow transverse central portion 8 which is U- shaped in crosssection and open at the bottom, as will be seen more clearly in Fig. 2.This portion has its bottom edges struck on a curve or other shape toconform to the bottomportion of the car between the adjacent ends of theslots 2, and it has out-turned bottom flanges which are bolted to thecar body through the bolt holes 6. At each end this narrow bottom 8 hasan ofi'set shoulder 21 and, where springs are used, the housing has ateach end a spring chamber 9 which is provided with an internal flange10' relatively narrow and adapted to define the outer margin oil thespring chamber. Beyond this spring chamber at each end the housingflares into a wheel housing chamber 11, the outer wall 12 of which isalso struck on a curve or shape corresponding to the car body and isattached to the same by bolts or rivets passed through the holes 6surrounding the wheel holes 3. A wheel housing thus forms an upwardlyand inwardly projecting closure for the wheel opening and for the axleopening 2, both of which housings are curved transversely overhead andare of ample depth to permit the normal vertical play of the loaded carunder running conditions. Along the top of the housing portions8, 9 andll, I provide a central vertical web or flange 13 which extendscontinuously from end to end of the housing and is provided with boltapertures let for the reception of bolts by means of which a transversecrescent shaped reinforced plate 15 is bolted in place, the edges ofthis plate above the housing ends being bolted to angles 16 which extendupwardly ilromeach housing in line with the flange 13 to the top edgesof the car, which are preferably braced by longitudinal external sideangles 17. ll prefer a crescent shaped plate as it is not necessarytobring the top level of this cross bracing plate at its center to thelevel in the body, but being disposed transversely of the car to allowtor loadin line timber, etc, and it will present no interference to thedumping out the cars contents when the car is tilted laterally, as isnow the general practice for dumping.

To the underside of the top portion of each wheel housing ll Tattach ahold-down plate 18 which pro ects substantially beyond the sides of thecar and the ends of the axle 19. These lates are adapted to engagesuitable holdowns in the 'dumpby means of which the car can be held onthe track while being inverted for dumping. V The angles l7 and theaxles 19 may be used separately or jointly to engage elements on thedump and assist in holding the car in place. The axle is shown mountedin a sleeve 20 containing any suitable antifriction bearing and havingmounted at each end a sleeve bearing-21 the outer ends oil which areinturned to leave a restricted central opening for the passage of theaxle 19. On the top of each bearing 21 ll provide a boss 22 forming acentering bottom seat for a coil spring 23 which is mounted-in thespring'housing 9 and engages thetop of the. housing. Where the narrowercentral portion of the housing merges into the spring chamber l providevertical. odset shoulders 21 which engage the inner ends of the bearingsleeves 21 and thus hold the axle against lateral displacement. Theshoulders 21 are vertically extended so as not to interfere with thetree normal vertical play of the axle. The side walls of the flanges l0-lorm in eit'ect pedestals in the ends of the housings which guide thevertical play of the bearings 21 responsive to track inequalities andkeep the springs 23 in place. Wheels 24 are suitably mounted on the endsof the axles 19.

The ends of the cars are formed by plates 25 which are preferablybellied and are bolted. or riveted to the ends of the main body plate 1.l provide a suitable brace 26 for each end plate opposite the point ofattachment thereto oi the coupler 27 which may be of any suitablecharacter and which, it desired, may be located at a suitable point onthe end of the car which will be on the axis of the rotary dump topermit dumping uncoupling the car frame. To further brace the ends,their tops are bent over. sufliciently to form an overhung flange 28,which is seen more clearly in Fig. 2.

in assembling my improved type of car, the body plate 1 can be punchedand shipped fiat along with the end plates 25 and these plates with thehousings form the complete collapsed car structure. ln assembling thecar, the body plate 1 is. rounded or shaped to the desired curve orother form, the ends 25 and their braces 26 are bolted in place. Theaxles 19 are inserted transversely of the car through the wheel openings3 in the body l, and the housings 7 then lowered into position over theaxles and riveted or otherwise attached to the inside surface of the carbottom so as to close the openings 2 and 3. The hold-downs 18 are then aplied to the housings, the springs 23 are .s ipped into the springchambers through the opening left in the flanges 10,

the wheels are mounted on the axles, and

the car is complete except for the attachment of the angles 16 to thebody and the cross brace plates 15 to the angles 16 and the housings *Z.The assembling is thus simple and inexpensive, the car has no draw bar,the coupling thrust and pull being transmitted through the ends 25 tothe entire body 1 which gives a rigid construction, and the running gearis sprin mounted and therefore free to follow all inequalities of thetrack which keeps the car wheels on the track and avoids the usualrigidity of running gear mounting on mine cars.

The extent to which the opening 2 ap proaches the longitudinal centerline of the body determines the-extent below its normal level that theaxle can drop without engaging the body. .The intervening web stiflens'the body 1 and forms a stop to limit the down movement of the axle inthe car. This web, as seen in Fig. 1, leaves a clearness which is ampleto care for the normal vertical play of the car body which is shown inFig. 1 in its loaded position with the springs 23 under normalcompression. The center of gravity of the loaded car will be abnormallylow and its carrying capacity abnormally high for its height.

The method of mounting the axles and running gear gives great bodystrength to the car which is further increased by the use of thetransverse brace plates 15. The angles -17 and flanges 28 gives thenecessary rigidity to the top edges of the car and the whole forms acomparatively light, inexpensive, highly eflicient and durable carcapable in its preferred form of collapsed shi ment.

aving thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

'1. A car body provided with wheel receiving openings in the bottomthereof, and bracing members extending transversely of the bottom andforming coverings for said openings, substantially as described.

2. A car body provided with wheel receiving openings in the bottomthereof, and hollow metallicbracing members extending transversely ofthe bottom, and formmg covers for said openings, substantially asdescribed.

3. A car body provided with wheel receiving openings in the bottomthereof, and hollow metallic bracing members extending transversely ofthe bottom, said bracing members having enlarged end portions forminghousings for the wheel openings, substantially as described.

4. A car body provided with wheel receiving o enings in the bottomthereof, bracing mem ers extending transversely of the bottom andforming coverings for said openings, and bracing plates co-operatingwith said members, substantially as described.

5. A car body having wheel receiving openings in the bottom thereof, andhousing members co-operating with said openings, the housing members onop osite sides of the car body being connecte by transversely extendingbracing members, substantially as described.

6. A car body having spaced transversely opposite openings in itsbottom, axles extending transversely above the bottom and projectingthrou h said openings, and internal members Forming coverings for saidopenings, and housings for said axles.

7. A car body with opposite pairs of side openings in its bottom, axlespassing above the bottom and projecting through said side openings,wheels on the axles, and housings attached within the car and formingcoverings for said openings, and housings for the wheels and axles.

8. A car body provided with pairs of transversely opposite spacedopenings in its sides and bottom, the side openings being enlarged forthe reception of the wheels,

axles inserted above the bottom and through said side openings, wheelson the axles projecting upwardly into the car body, and transversehousing members mounted'in the car and formin coverings for saidopenings.

9. A car b0 y formed of a metal sheet having spaced pairs of openingsflared at their outer ends, end members for-the body, axles insertedthrough the car bod and having their ends projecting throug the enlargedwheel openings, wheels mounted on the axles and rojecting into the carbody through the ings, and transverse housings sha to conform to thebottom of the b y and mounted therein to form coverings for the openingsand housings for the axles and wheels. I

10. A mine car having its body converted into a truck by the provisionof opposite side openings, transverse housings covering opposite pairsof said openings and having their ends enlarged to form wheel housingsand pedestals, axles assing through the car and mounted in said housingsand havin bearings free to play in said pedestals, an

springs interposed between the housings and bearings, substantially asdescribed.

11. A mine car having its body proper formed of a single sheet of metalshaped to the desired body form and having opposite pairsof openingspunched therein for the reception of the car axles, ends for the body,and bottom transverse housings for the axles, each forming a closure forthe openings provided for its respective axle.

12. A car body formed by a plate shaped to conform to the desired crosssection of the car body and having bottom wheel openings, means to mountwheels to project upwardly into said openings, transverse housingsmounted in the car to cover said openings, and a transverse crescentshaped brace plate attached to the sides of the car and to the top of ahousing.

13. In combination with a car body'havared ends of said 0 en-' ingopenings for the Wheels to project thereinto, of a transverse integralcasting forming a housing for an axle and its wheels, the casting at itscenter bein restricted to form a vertical lUJ-shaped gui e for the axleand at each end being enlarged to form a housing to close the wheelopening, the bottom edge of the casting being shaped to conform to theinside face of the car bottom to which it is connected.

14. A car body having a wheel and axle .housing as described in claim13, in which hold-downs are attached to the outer ends of the wheelhousings and project beyond the same, as and for the purposes described.

15.A Wheel and axle housing for a car body comprising a casting U-shapedin cross section and open at its bottom, the housing being narrowest atits center where it forms a guide for the axle, being expanded near eachend to torm'a spring chamber, and being further expanded beyond thespring chamber to form a wheel housing, the casting having its carengaging portions shaped to conform to the bottom portion of the car andadapted to be attached thereto, substantially as described.

16. The combination with a car body, of a wheel and axle housing mountedin said body, the housing comprising a narrow intermediate portionvertically elongated and forming a guide for the axle, there being anofl'set shoulder near each end of said narrow portion adapted to engagespring seats fast on the axle and hold the axle against endwise play inthe housing, said housing beyond said shouldered portion beingvertically extended to form spring chambers having spring insertionopenings for the outer wall of the chambers, and said housing beingenlarged laterally beyond said spring chamber to form transverselyarched housings which overhang the wheels.

17. In a mine car, a body formed of sheet metal having ends attached tothe body, internal braces connecting the ends to the body, couplingsconnected to the ends in line with the braces and adapted to transmittheir full thrust and pull through the body tree of any draw barconnection.

18. In a mine car as described in claim 17, the end plates being belliedand having the coupling mounted at an intermediate point thereonopposite to the braces.

In testimony whereof I afix my signature.

1 ERSKINE RAM$AY.

Witness:

Noinrn Warren,

